Great grandma left outside hospital for two hours in the cold
A 92-year-old great grandmother who was rushed to hospital by her family due to a shortage of ambulances was left out in the cold for two hours.
Maureen Wortley suffered a fall and was taken to Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide about 6.30pm on Monday night.
Upon arrival, Maureen underwent a Covid test before having to do another one due to miscommunication with staff.
While waiting to be treated, Maureen was forced to wait outside in the freezing cold for two hours dressed only in her dressing gown.
"She was asked to sit on her walker, wasn't provided with a wheelchair or a blanket, asked to sit on her walker outside in 10 or 12 degrees," a family member told Nine News.
The family made a formal complaint about Maureen’s treatment and claimed that staff were provided with heating while patients were not.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas was made aware of the complaint and offered his personal apology.
"We saw someone not getting the sort of care that any Australian with a degree of compassion would want to see or certainly expect," he said.
Dr Penny Conor from the Northern Adelaide Health Network confirmed that the hospital was busy but was not at capacity.
"I probably wouldn't describe it as a substantial stuff up but yes we could've done better," she said.
"Again I apologise unreservedly to the family."
Image: Nine News